New budget optic, designed to be used with full-frame Alpha models, weighs just 93g

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Samyang has become the latest manufacturer to broaden the pool of third-party lens options for Sony Alpha users with the announcement of the AF 24mm F2.8 FE. The lens will be sold as the Rokinon AF 24mm F2.8 in North America.

Details of the new lens leaked last week, before the company started to tease its arrival across its social media channels. Samyang cites a variety of potential applications for the optic, from travel, landscapes, outdoor events and sports through to close-ups and even portraits.

The lens combines a usefully wide focal length with a moderately wide maximum aperture, and a compact, lightweight build. Without its round lens hood or rear caps, it measures just 37mm long and weighs 93g, with a filter thread diameter of 49mm.

The lens has an imaging circle that covers the full-frame sensors inside Sony models such as the A7 III, A7R III and A9, although it can also be used with APS-C-based bodies such as the A6500. That particular combination results in an effective focal length of 36mm.

On the inside, the optic features seven elements arranged over seven groups, with three of these having aspherical surfaces and two featuring high-refractive glass. Samyang promises high resolution across the frame right up to the corners, with the further application of Ultra Multi Coating technology to keep transmission high and aberrations low.

While the company has traditionally specialised in producing manual-focus optics for popular systems, many of its most recent lenses features their own autofocus motors, and the 24mm becomes the latest recipient. Samyang claims this delivers "quiet, fast and accurate" autofocus, with a minimum focusing distance of just 24cm/0.79ft. The minimally styled barrel is also equipped with a ribbed manual focusing ring, together with the company's characteristic red ring.

Samyang AF 24mm F2.8 FE price and release date

The lens is set to be available from July in the UK, with a RRP of £279.99. Head over to the Intro 2020 page for more details.

In North America, the lens will be sold as the Rokinon AF 24mm F2.8 Compact and will retail for $399. See the Rokinon website for more details